Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Unbelievable feeling to lead England – Trippier
KIERAN Trippier cannot wait to lead England out in front of fans for the first time, with the right-back grateful to Gareth Southgate for his continued support as he prepares to skipper the side against Andorra this evening.
The 31-year-old has established himself as a key component of the Three Lions set-up since making his debut in a friendly against France back in 2017.
Trippier shone in the run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and will win his 35th cap in today’s World Cup qualifier in Andorra, where Southgate confirmed the Atletico Madrid right-back will wear the captain’s armband.
The full-back skippered the national team in a friendly against Wales this time last year, but this will be the first time he will captain England in front of supporters.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Trippier. “As a player, to captain your country is one of my best feelings, one of the proudest moments of my career. Hopefully I can follow that up with a win, but I’m speechless, really, to captain my country and lead the boys out. You know obviously something I’ll never ever forget.
“As a player it’s always good to have a manager who trusts in you, no matter where you play on the pitch. I’ve been with Gareth nearly since he took charge, so I try to repay that by my performances.
“If I play or if I don’t play, I try to help my team-mates, to encourage my team-mates, especially as we’ve got a young squad.
“But I can only thank Gareth for what he’s done for me on and off the pitch, and the trust that he has in me personally to name me captain. It’s a surreal moment.”
England will be cheered on by their hardy travelling support at the Estadi Nacional, where the artificial surface in the Pyrenees will raise unique difficulties.
“For me, it’s all about challenges in every single game and this is another one,” Trippier said. “All the players are ready. Like Gareth says, we will get the ball down and we’ll play. And try and play football to feet and there’s no excuses. We’ve come here to try to get three points and everybody will be ready.”
Elsewhere in the qualifying games, Scotland play host to Israel in Group F, while Northern Ireland are in Switzerland in Group D. The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, are away to Azerbaijan in Group A.
Wales faced the Czech Republic after last night’s Daily Press deadline.
Meanwhile, Spain and France meet in the Nations League final tomorrow evening.